Transport activity involves the movement of goods or people from an origin to a destination.

Transport is a fundamental element of developed economies, connecting businesses to markets and to supplies of inputs. For example, building construction is reliant on transport to get materials and labour to sites. Retailers rely on transport to bring items from suppliers, and to bring customers to their shops. Complex and specialised transport services, such as those used for perishable foods, may cross several countries and include corridors of road, rail, sea and air journeys. A substantial part of people's time and income is used for travel to work, school, recreation, and other activities.

Transport has considerable economic, social and environmental impacts. Effective transport systems contribute to economic prosperity, as well as to the social achievements of the community that arise through access to an enlarged range of employment and residential options, and to an increased range of holiday and entertainment options. Information about numerous aspects of transport activity is used by governments, local authorities and industry, to support planning and investment decisions.

In 2002-03 the transport and storage industry - those businesses whose predominant income was from transport and storage activities - contributed 5% to Australia's gross domestic product.

This chapter contains data on Australia's domestic and international transportation of people and freight, describing the volume of activity undertaken by road, rail, sea and air transport modes. Statistics describe the incidence of accidents, injuries and fatalities, as well as describing the capital infrastructure upon which transport activity is reliant. Data are drawn from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and other sources.

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